One of the preventive measure for SCD infants and toddlers is that they must take penicillin twice daily until at least the age of five. Penicillin significantly reduces infection and may reduce infant mortality rates among SCD children.
When Riley began taking her medicine, she complied nicely. Of course, she had no other choice, but as she has gotten older, we do the daily dance. Interestingly enough, Daddy seems to dance much better than Mommy. Riley smiles coyly, cocks her head to the side, with little encouragement. Hmm, must be a daddy girl's thing.
In contrast, I practically have to BEG Riley to take AND swallow her medicine. This typical exchange can be overheard on any given day:
"Riley, time to take your medicine."
Head shakes "no" or in the alternative, little legs turn and poise for sprinting. (As Micheal eagerly says, "I want medicine" or Nigel notices "Riley really doesn't like to take her medicine.")
"Riley" (with one hand on her arm) "Please, can you take your medicine"
Another head shake, with the hint of a grin. Lots of twisting and turning. Who knew someone so tiny could hold such a stance.
Mommy, usually in a singing voice "Riley, it time for your medicine big girl"
Usually, the big girl does the trick. Well for say 75% of the time There are variations of big girl and some include going through the script again with slight variations a time or two. I typically end with a proud, "Way to GO big girl Riley" and a high five (which she LOVES to do) as she walks off to find new adventures for the day or her bedtime story at night.
Of note, my enthusiastic reaction is basically the reason Michael eagerly wants to take medicine ;).
Very recently, Riley has surprised me. Sometimes, she will take her medicine dropper out of my hand and into her own, as if to say, "Mommy, I want to do it myself" and take every drop of her medicine. I have to be careful because a few times she is trying to outsmart me by running off with it. She hasn't tried this maneuver as of late.
At this point, I think she has realized her crying routine (although jabbing mama's heart) or take and spit strategy did not yield her the results she so desired and compliance has a much happier (and quicker) result in the long run.
Some days, the hardest parts are over, others they seem to creep up again. For now, we will continue to perfect our daily dance.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Friday, March 21, 2008
Breastfeeding and all that jazz
or specifically weaning.
I am a huge believer in the benefits of breastfeeding. To the amazement of many, I have successfully nursed three children without once buying formula. Yes, I am woman, here me roar!
I have enjoyed each one of my nursing relationships, but it appears that the era of weaning is daunting upon us (shh, don't tell Riley yet *giggle*). There is nothing more beautiful in those early months of having those quiet moment of watching your baby gleefully nurse. At the same time, you see the benefits of your milk in a healthy, happy infant. I am still amazed that I can look at each one of my children and think "Wow, for the first 4-6 mths of life, my body provided all the nourishment they needed. "
To clarify and not sound like an AAP recommendation, we introduced solids at 4 mths for our oldest, Nigel but held off for 5 1/2 for little big brother, Michael and was right at 6 mths for Riley.
As the nursing relationship goes on, it takes a few twist and turns, literally (Have you ever seen a 10 mth old nurse with activity in the room???). But, the power of the nursing relationship remains paramount. It is calming, nutritive, and connection all wrapped into one loving bundle of joy.
I notice as we move into the second year, nursing begins to have a possessive aspect to it. I blurted out at my Nigel's 15 mth well baby check up "I don't think he EVER going to stop nursing" but within a couple of weeks, we were miraculously weaned. At the time, I was ready.
Next, came Michael. Michael was a bit different from Nigel. He LOVED to breastfeed. At four month, he refused the bottle so much, that we realized, it was a lost cause. This was also the time that I realized that NIP (nursing in public) was something I had to become comfortable with. And, food, he could care less about for the most part. He really loved to nurse. Weaning was not so easy.
I had decided we would lean towards a 18 mth wean date. The thing that really motivated me, was my pregnancy with Riley. Although nursing is wonderful and two can be "twice the fun" tandem nursing was not something I desired to experience. To Michael's dismay, we gradually dropped feeding and was weaned by 18 mths.
Of note, Michael took this very hard. Until recently he still ask to nurse, but that's a post for another day.
Now, we have Little Miss Ma'am. She is not as attached to the nursing as Michael. Put food in front her, and she gleefully says, "I'll see you later mommy." But, she is nor close to wanting to wean. This past week has not been a walk in the park as we work on night weaning.
With Riley, I have so many mixed emotions. My target wean goal is by her second birthday. I feel like the benefits of breast milk are something she needs for as long as she can get. I feel like this is the last time I will have a nursing relationship, so I should cherish these time (made more noticeable as Nigel settles into the "UGGGHH MOM" better known as the tween years stage).
For now, we will continue on...............
I am a huge believer in the benefits of breastfeeding. To the amazement of many, I have successfully nursed three children without once buying formula. Yes, I am woman, here me roar!
I have enjoyed each one of my nursing relationships, but it appears that the era of weaning is daunting upon us (shh, don't tell Riley yet *giggle*). There is nothing more beautiful in those early months of having those quiet moment of watching your baby gleefully nurse. At the same time, you see the benefits of your milk in a healthy, happy infant. I am still amazed that I can look at each one of my children and think "Wow, for the first 4-6 mths of life, my body provided all the nourishment they needed. "
To clarify and not sound like an AAP recommendation, we introduced solids at 4 mths for our oldest, Nigel but held off for 5 1/2 for little big brother, Michael and was right at 6 mths for Riley.
As the nursing relationship goes on, it takes a few twist and turns, literally (Have you ever seen a 10 mth old nurse with activity in the room???). But, the power of the nursing relationship remains paramount. It is calming, nutritive, and connection all wrapped into one loving bundle of joy.
I notice as we move into the second year, nursing begins to have a possessive aspect to it. I blurted out at my Nigel's 15 mth well baby check up "I don't think he EVER going to stop nursing" but within a couple of weeks, we were miraculously weaned. At the time, I was ready.
Next, came Michael. Michael was a bit different from Nigel. He LOVED to breastfeed. At four month, he refused the bottle so much, that we realized, it was a lost cause. This was also the time that I realized that NIP (nursing in public) was something I had to become comfortable with. And, food, he could care less about for the most part. He really loved to nurse. Weaning was not so easy.
I had decided we would lean towards a 18 mth wean date. The thing that really motivated me, was my pregnancy with Riley. Although nursing is wonderful and two can be "twice the fun" tandem nursing was not something I desired to experience. To Michael's dismay, we gradually dropped feeding and was weaned by 18 mths.
Of note, Michael took this very hard. Until recently he still ask to nurse, but that's a post for another day.
Now, we have Little Miss Ma'am. She is not as attached to the nursing as Michael. Put food in front her, and she gleefully says, "I'll see you later mommy." But, she is nor close to wanting to wean. This past week has not been a walk in the park as we work on night weaning.
With Riley, I have so many mixed emotions. My target wean goal is by her second birthday. I feel like the benefits of breast milk are something she needs for as long as she can get. I feel like this is the last time I will have a nursing relationship, so I should cherish these time (made more noticeable as Nigel settles into the "UGGGHH MOM" better known as the tween years stage).
For now, we will continue on...............
This journey.......
Where to begin? As I ponder this question, it is not from lack of having something to say, but quite the opposite (which is NO surprise to those that know me ;)).
I have been toying with the idea of blogging our journey for a while. I threw the idea out to dh and he said, "Go for it." We want to chronicle our journey as parents of Riley, a beautifully, wonderfully made little girl with sickle cell anemia. In doing so, we hope to raise awareness, share our ups and downs, and meet new friends along the way.
Thanks for joining us for this journey
I have been toying with the idea of blogging our journey for a while. I threw the idea out to dh and he said, "Go for it." We want to chronicle our journey as parents of Riley, a beautifully, wonderfully made little girl with sickle cell anemia. In doing so, we hope to raise awareness, share our ups and downs, and meet new friends along the way.
Thanks for joining us for this journey
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